Universal systems and methods for adjustably limiting capacity of firearm magazines

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to systems and methods for reliably limiting the cartridge loading capacity of firearm magazines. In one embodiment, a magazine capacity limiting assembly includes a limiter body and a limiter base. The magazine capacity limiter body reliably operates with a cartridge follower of a firearm magazine. The limiter body is installed substantially within coils of the magazine&#39;s spring, thereby limiting the travel of the follower within the magazine body to limit the magazine&#39;s cartridge capacity. The limiter base is coupled to both the limiter body and the magazine&#39;s floor plate.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority and is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/700,059 filed Apr. 29, 2015, entitled “UniversalSystems and Methods for Adjustably Limiting Capacity of FirearmMagazines”, recently allowed, which claims the priority and is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/429,301 filed Mar.23, 2012, entitled “Systems and Methods for Limiting Capacity of FirearmMagazines”, now patented as U.S. Pat. No. 9,328,982, issued on May 3,2016, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/468,072 filed on Mar. 28, 2011 entitled “Magazine Capacity Limiter”,expired, which applications are incorporated herein in their entirety bythis reference.

BACKGROUND

To achieve the foregoing and in accordance with the present invention,systems and methods for limiting firearm ammunition capacity areprovided. In particular, the systems and methods limit the cartridgecapacity of detachable firearm magazines without compromisingreliability.

Firearms and firearm accessories have steadily evolved over time,resulting in increased functionality and flexibility over time. Today,there is a variety of firearm modifications and/or accessoriescommercially available to accommodate a wide range of users' needs.Occasionally, innovation in the firearms industry is also driven bylegislative trends, as firearm owners are required to respond bylimiting the functionality of their firearms and/or accessories, forexample, limiting the ammunition capacity of semi-automatic firearmmagazines.

In response to political pressures, Federal and State laws have beenenacted to limit features of semi-automatic firearms and also thecapacity of firearm magazines. For example, in some jurisdictions, theuse of detachable magazines with semi-automatic rifles is strictlyregulated. To comply, detachable magazines sold in those jurisdictionsmust either be designed to or be altered to only accept a limited numberof cartridges, e.g. ten rounds.

Prior inferior attempts at limiting magazine capacity include installinga rivet in the side of the magazine to limit the downward travel of thefollower. This involves exterior modification of the magazine body andinvolves substantial trial and error to find the correct position ofsaid rivet. Another prior method involves installing a large block underthe bottom of the magazine spring and substantially filling up thebottom space of the magazine body. This method is not desirable becausethe installation of the block increases spring tension and wear.Alternatively, different magazine bodies can be retrofitted withdifferent replacement springs, but that fails to provide a more genericsolution.

Other attempts include modifications to the magazine followers, which isnot desirable because the magazine follower is a critical component ofthe magazine and directly affects the magazine's reliability andfunctionality. For example, many magazine followers include anti-tiltfeatures to increase magazine reliability and prevent malfunctions, andmodifications to these followers are likely to adversely affect themagazine reliability.

In some of the more restrictive jurisdictions, magazine limitingmodifications have to be considered “permanent” to be considered fullycompliant legally. A common practice is to epoxy or roll pin themagazine body permanently closed. However, such drastic modifications donot allow the magazines to be reconfigured back to their original“higher capacity” configuration when used in other more liberaljurisdictions where these restrictions do not exist.

It is therefore apparent that an urgent need exists for improvedcost-effective capacity-limiting assemblies for cost-effectivelymodifying higher-capacity magazines to comply with applicable laws andregulations, as needed, without compromising reliability. These improvedcapacity-limiting assemblies should enable users to quickly andefficiently limit the capacity of the magazines.

SUMMARY

To achieve the foregoing and in accordance with the present invention,systems and methods for limiting firearm ammunition capacity areprovided. In particular, these systems and methods limit the cartridgecapacity of detachable firearm magazines without adversely affectingreliability.

In one embodiment, a magazine capacity limiting assembly is configuredto limit the cartridge capacity of a firearm magazine having a magazinebody, a cartridge follower, a magazine spring and a magazine floorplate. This limiting assembly includes a magazine capacity limiter bodyand a magazine capacity limiter base. The magazine capacity limiter bodyincludes a top edge configured to operate with the cartridge follower.The limiter body is installed substantially within coils of a magazinespring, thereby limiting the travel of the magazine follower within themagazine body to limit the magazine's cartridge capacity. The magazinecapacity limiter base is operatively coupled to both the magazinelimiter body and the magazine floor plate.

The limiter body is configured to be severed at a plurality ofpre-determined locations corresponding to a plurality of cartridgecapacities. The limiter body includes a corresponding plurality ofnotches. The limiter base includes a catch configured to securely engageone of the corresponding plurality of notches. The limiter base is alsoconfigured to be coupled to a magazine floor plate of the firearmmagazine.

Note that the various features of the present invention described abovemay be practiced alone or in combination. These and other features ofthe present invention will be described in more detail below in thedetailed description of the invention and in conjunction with thefollowing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention may be more clearly ascertained,some embodiments will now be described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the components of an exemplaryhigh-capacity firearm magazine;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views illustrating two alternate configurationsof one embodiment of a magazine capacity limiting assembly in accordancewith the present invention, while FIG. 2C is a partial cross-sectionalview 2C-2C of the limiting assembly of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of a magazine capacitylimiting assembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of the top of the magazine capacitylimiting assemblies in relation to a magazine follower of a firearmmagazine;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a magazine, partiallysectioned, with a magazine capacity limiting assembly of the presentinvention installed;

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two alternate embodiments of a magazinecapacity limiting assembly;

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of a capacity limitingassembly having an upper limiter, an intermediate limiter and a lowerlimiter;

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment of a capacity limitingassembly having detachable lower and upper limiters, and wherein theoverall height of the limiting assembly is adjustable;

FIGS. 10A & 10B illustrate one embodiment of an interchangeableadjustable capacity limiting assembly in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGS. 11A & 11B provide exploded views of the limiter body and limiterbase of the limiter assembly of FIG. 10A;

FIGS. 12A & 12B provide front and back views of a partially constructedlimiter assembly of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 13 shows a cutaway view of a typical pistol caliber magazineincorporating the limiter assembly of FIG. 10A;

FIGS. 14A & 14B are bottom and perspective views of the limiter base ofFIG. 10A;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are cross-sectional views AA-AA and BB-BB of thelimiter base of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the limiterbase for the limiter assembly of FIG. 10A;

FIGS. 17A-17D illustrate another embodiment of an interchangeableadjustable capacity limiting assembly in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 provide an exploded view of the limiter body and limiter base ofthe limiter assembly of FIG. 17A;

FIG. 19 shows a cutaway view of a typical rifle caliber magazineincorporating the limiter assembly of FIG. 17A; and

FIGS. 20A-20B illustrate another embodiment of an interchangeableadjustable capacity limiting assembly in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference toseveral embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the presentinvention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, thatembodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specificdetails. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structureshave not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscurethe present invention. The features and advantages of embodiments may bebetter understood with reference to the drawings and discussions thatfollow.

Aspects, features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription in connection with the accompanying drawing(s). It should beapparent to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments ofthe present invention provided herein are illustrative only and notlimiting, having been presented by way of example only. All featuresdisclosed in this description may be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.Therefore, numerous other embodiments of the modifications thereof arecontemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention asdefined herein and equivalents thereto. Hence, use of absolute and/orsequential terms, such as, for example, “will,” “will not,” “shall,”“shall not,” “must,” “must not,” “first,” “initially,” “next,”“subsequently,” “before,” “after,” “lastly,” and “finally,” are notmeant to limit the scope of the present invention as the embodimentsdisclosed herein are merely exemplary.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for limitingfirearm ammunition capacity are provided. In particular, the systems andmethods for limiting the cartridge capacity of detachable firearmmagazines. Referring first to FIG. 1, an exploded view of an exemplarydetachable high-capacity (“high-cap”) firearm magazine, magazine 100includes a magazine body 110, a magazine follower 120, a magazine spring130 and a magazine floor plate 140. Assembly of high-cap magazine 100 isaccomplished by first inserting the top of the magazine follower 120into the bottom the magazine body 110. Next, the magazine spring 130 isinserted from the bottom of the magazine body 110 and in contact withthe bottom of the magazine follower 120. The magazine spring 130 is thencompressed to be flushed with the bottom edge of the magazine body 110.The magazine floor plate 140 can now secured to the bottom of themagazine body 110, thereby completing the assembly process for high-capmagazine 100.

To facilitate discussion, FIGS. 2A and 2B show side views illustratingalternate configurations of one embodiment of a magazine capacitylimiting assembly 200 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2Cis a partial cross-sectional view 2C-2C of the lower portion of limiterassembly 200. Assembly 200 can be configured and incorporated intohigh-cap magazines, e.g., high-cap magazine 100, thereby limiting thenumber of firearm cartridges, e.g., ten cartridges, which can be loadedinto these magazines.

As shown in FIG. 2A, capacity limiting assembly 200 includes a magazinelocking plate 210, a lower limiter 240, an intermediate limiter 250, andan upper limiter 280. In this embodiment, an optional floor plate lock214 may be operatively coupled to the locking plate 210. Optional floorplate lock 214 is intended to be compatible with aftermarket magazinefloor plates having a corresponding mating recess such as Magpul™“Ranger” and “L” floor plates, available from Magpul IndustriesCorporation, Boulder, Colo.

The locking plate 210 may include indentation(s) 216 enabling lockingplate 210 to be retained by a floor plate attached to the magazine 100and enabling the locking plate 210 to sit flush against the bottom ofthe magazine 100. In addition, the magazine spring 130 can be retainedand held in place by a spring lock 218 and a corresponding spring lock219 protruding outwards from opposite sides of lower limiter 240.Protruding spring locks 218, 219 may be chamfered to allow downwardmovement of the bottom of the magazine spring 130 to engage the lock 218during installation, but prevent the spring 130 from easily orunintentionally being detached from lower limiter 240. A recess in theupper surface 294 engages a spring attachment point of the magazinefollower 120. Upon completion of installation, the downward force of thespring 130 secures the bottom of spring 130 to limiter 240. One or moreoptional snap locks (not shown) may also be added to further secure thebottom of the magazine spring 130 to limiter 240. Alternatively, insteadof spring locks 218, 219, one or more holes may be drilled in lowerlimiter 240 to accept and secure the bottom of magazine spring 130.Additionally, adhesives such as epoxy can also be used to permanentlysecure spring 130 to limiter 240.

Note that alternative upper surfaces 241, 252/256, 298 of limiters 240,250, 280, respectively, are molded into the limiter assembly 200.Accordingly, the overall height of limiting assembly 200 can be reducedby severing at these predetermined locations, thereby varying thecartridge capacity of magazine 100 as needed, as illustrated by thealternate configuration shown in FIG. 2B.

Capacity limiting assembly 200 can include reinforcement structures,e.g., cross rib 243, to increase structural integrity and reduce weightand material used for manufacturing. Furthermore, reinforcementstructures 257, 256 are designed so that they can be easily removed whenthe limiting assembly 200 is reconfigured into, for example, thealternate configuration of FIG. 2B.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of a limiting assembly 300in which the height of an upper limiter 340 can be varied in relation toa lower limiter 310, thereby changing the overall height of limitingassembly 300. This can be accomplishes by use of adjustment slots 344,346 of limiters 310, 340, respectively, and a screw and nut (not shown).A ribbed surface 360 on a face of lower limiter 310 is configured to beoperatively engaged to a matching ribbed surface 362 on a correspondingface of the upper limiter 340.

A window 348 of upper limiter 340 display markings 350 allowing easyadjustments to predetermined magazine cartridge capacity settings oflimiting assembly 300. These capacity settings are intended tocorrespond with different magazine variants and/or cartridge capacities.

Depending on specific configuration of the magazine followers, e.g.magazine follower 120 or 480, the upper mating surface 326 can beremoved and replaced with a variety of alternative attachments via, forexample, a post 356 secured to upper limiter 340 by a fastener such as aset screw 358. As shown in FIG. 4, such an arrangement also permitsadaptations of lateral positioning of the upper surface recess 294 whichis necessary for the different lower mating surfaces 486 of the magazinefollower 480 and its spring attachment point 482.

Similarly, as discussed above for limiting assembly 200, to increaseadaptability of limiting assembly 300 to a wide variety of magazinefloor plates, alternative floor plate locks 314 can be added or removedvia, for example, a post 354 and socket 352 arrangement.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a cut-away view, one embodiment of an exemplarycartridge magazine 500 is loaded with a plurality of bottle-nosecartridges, e.g., a 5.56mm cartridge magazine. Note that in thisembodiment, configurable capacity limiting assembly 300 has beeninstalled in magazine 500. Accordingly, the distance from the uppermagazine lip surface 504 to the upper surface of the magazine follower580, corresponding to the cartridge capacity of magazine 500, is limitednow by assembly 300.

The limiting assembly 300 is configured to be installed within the coilsof the magazine spring 509. The dimensions of the magazine walls 506will determine the size and shape of the locking plate 512. The profileand size of the locking plate 210 may also be shaped to fit similarmagazines without, or with minor modification(s). Further, areliability-enhancing clearance gap 510 may be added to accommodate theloading of the rifle with a closed bolt or action and/or with dustcovers. This clearance gap 510 is large enough to allow downward travelof the magazine follower 580 for these functions, but not large enoughto permit an additional unwanted cartridge to be loaded into magazine500.

The locking plate 512 is configured to be installed flush against themagazine floor plate 502 and to engage locking indentations 508 of thefloor plate 502. The magazine spring 509 is attached to the uppermagazine follower 580 at its intended attachment point 582 and alsounder the locking lug 564 of assembly 300. A permanent attachment may bemade between limiting assembly 300 and magazine 500 to comply withapplicable laws, regulations and ordinances, which may specify that a“permanent” alteration of the magazine 500 is required. As illustratedby FIG. 5, the upper limiter 540 may include a profile necessary toallow clearance of the downward protrusions 584 of the lower surfaces ofmagazine follower 580. The adjustment slot 346 is shown locked in placeby the set screw(s) 568 at a position corresponding to, for example, tencartridges or five cartridges (per hunting regulations), as seen throughthe magazine capacity window 548.

Many modifications and enhancements to the described embodiments arealso possible. For example, the side view of FIG. 6 shows structuralsupport rib(s) 623 bracing the area through which a cut can be made toeasily and reliably configure an alternate configuration. These supportstructure(s) provide flexural strength, while enabling ease ofconfiguring predetermined sizes. In addition, FIG. 7 illustrates analternate method of changing the upper recess 724 location, and theremoval of the locking plate lock 714.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a capacity limiting assembly 800having three stacked limiters 810, 820, 830 corresponding to threedifferent overall heights from the bottom of limiter assembly 800.Accordingly, detaching the top limiter 830 from the lower limiter 810,or both the top and intermediate limiter 820, 830, from the lowerlimiter 810, introduces two additional configuration having twopredetermined lower cartridge capacities for the same magazine 100.Alternatively, the two additional shortened configurations of limitingassembly 810 can be installed in smaller magazines having shortermagazine bodies (not shown).

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment of an adjustable capacitylimiting assembly 900 wherein the lower and upper limiters 910, 920include a slot 916 and a hole 926, respectively, configured toaccommodate a fastener such as a machine screw 968. In this embodiment,it is possible for lower and upper limiters 910, 920 of limitingassembly 900 to be initially formed as one contiguous structure, withthe bottom of the upper limiter 920 joined to the top of lower limiter910, in a configuration similar to that limiting assembly 200.

FIGS. 10A & 10B are a perspective view and a front view of oneembodiment of a universal interchangeable adjustable-capacity limitingassembly 1000 in accordance with the present invention. Limitingassembly 1000 includes an interchangeable limiter body 1010 and aninterchangeable limiter base 1020. In some embodiments, assembly 1000also includes an optional magazine base lock 1030. FIGS. 11A & 11Bprovide exploded views of limiter body 1010 and base 1020, while FIGS.12A & 12B provide front and back views of partially constructed limiterassembly 1000, respectively. In addition, FIG. 13 shows a cutaway viewof an exemplary pistol caliber magazine 1300 incorporating limiterassembly 1000.

In this embodiment as illustrated by the exploded view of FIG. 11A,limiter body 1010 includes at least one plurality of notches 1012 a,1012 b, 1012 c . . . 1012 m. As shown in FIG. 14A, limiter base 1020includes at least one corresponding capacity catch 1422 configured tosecurely engage with one of the plurality of notches 1012 a, 1012 b,1012 c . . . 1012 m to “permanently” limit cartridge capacity of afirearms magazine, thereby enabling the user to comply with applicableFederal statute(s), State law(s), local ordinance(s) and/or sportingorganization rule(s) mandating such firearm magazine capacity limit.Note that angular stability between limiter body 1010 and base 1020 isalso enhanced when capacity catch 1422 is securely engaged with one ofthe plurality of notches 1012 a, 1012 b, 1012 c . . . 1012 m.

Referring to both FIGS. 10B and 14A, in some embodiments, limiter body1010 also includes a second plurality of corresponding notches locatedon the opposing side 1013 of body 1010, which provides additionalstability to limiter assembly 1000 when an appropriate one of thesenotches operatively coupled to catch 1423 of base 1020.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the back view of limiter assembly 1000, limiterbody 1010 may include an optional vertical recessed track, i.e., groove1016, configured to accommodate a corresponding optional guide rib 1026of base 1020 thereby enhancing stability of limiter assembly 1000.Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the front view of limiter assembly 1000,base 1020 includes an optional capacity window 1028 useful incombination with an optional capacity indicator stripe 1018 of limiterbody 1010, enabling a user to easily select an appropriate cartridgecapacity for firearms magazine 1300. Note that in some embodiments,indicator stripe 1028 can be configured to provide correspondingreference numbers instead of directly indicating the cartridge capacity.

The above described features are also illustrated by FIGS. 14A & 14B,bottom & perspective views of limiter base 1020, and further illustratedby FIGS. 15A and 15B, cross-sectional views AA-AA and BB-BB of limiterbase 1020, respectively.

Referring now to FIGS. 12A & 12B, cartridge capacity of firearmsmagazine 1300 using limiter assembly 1000 can be configured as follows.The user inserts limiter body 1010 into limiter base 1020, and thenslides base 1020 along body 1010 while observing the capacity window1028. When the appropriate cartridge capacity is reached, the user canuse a sharp blade or a saw to severe a protruding end of limiter body1010 while using the bottom surface of base 1020 as a guide.

Depending on the specific design of firearm magazine 1300, optionalmagazine base lock 1030 can then be inserted into a slot, e.g., adovetail slot, located at the bottom of limiter base 1020. In someembodiments, magazine base lock 1030 includes a locking tab configuredto protrude and engage a corresponding hole of magazine floor plate1390. The location of this locking tab relative to limiter assembly 1000can be easily adjusted by the user to fit a particular magazine bysimply sliding the base lock 1030 within the slot of limiter base 1020.It is contemplated that a parts kit for limiter assembly 1000 caninclude one or more of a variety of interchangeable magazine base lockshaving locking tabs of different shapes, sizes and/or locations to adaptto a wide range of firearms magazines.

Conversely, instead of using the optional magazine base lock 1030,limiter base 1020 can be configured to be operatively coupled to anoriginal magazine locking plate (not shown). As such, limiter base 1020can also include an optional recess 1428 configured to provide clearancefor a raised retainer of the original magazine locking plate, whereinthe raised retainer is configured to couple the magazine spring to theoriginal magazine locking plate.

As shown in FIG. 13, the limiter assembly 1000 can now be insertedwithin the spring coils 1360 of the magazine spring and into the body1310 of firearms magazine 1300. Note that the top surface of limiterbody is suitably profiled so the cartridge follower (hidden) of magazine1300 rests securely on top of limiter body 1010 and does not slide offduring operation as cartridges are added or removed.

The magazine floor plate 1390 can now be secured to the bottom ofmagazine body 1310, thereby completing the cartridge limiting processfor magazine 1300.

Limiter body 1010 and/or base 1020 can be manufactured using a varietyof suitable processes, including machining, 3D printing and plasticmolding processes. Hence in yet another embodiment of limiter base 1600(see FIG. 16), for ease of manufacturing and pre-assembly, base 1600 canbe initially manufactured as two sub-components 1640, 1680, andconfigured to be coupled to each other, e.g., snapped together, via twomating latches 1642, 1682 and 1644, 1684. An optional feature of such amulti-component limiter base design is the ability to permanentlycapture the magazine spring.

Advantageous of universal interchangeable limiter assemblies of thepresent invention include interchangeability within a wide variety ofcartridge calibers and/or brands/models of firearms, thereby reducingthe number of stock parts to support a wide variety of firearms. Forexample, a 9 mm limiter body and a 40 S&W limiter body can beinterchangeably coupled to a universal limiter base adapted for bothfull size and compact 9 mm and 40 S&W Glock™ or Sig Sauer™ pistolmagazines. Hence by using the above described universal interchangeableand adjustable cartridge limiter assembly kit, a retailer and/or an enduser can now use expeditiously assemble a suitable limiter body and basecombination to accommodate a newly-released, custom and/or aftermarketfirearms magazine.

FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C and 17D are a perspective view, a side view, a frontview and a top view, respectively, of another embodiment of a universalinterchangeable adjustable-capacity limiting assembly 1700 in accordancewith the present invention. Limiting assembly 1700 includes aninterchangeable limiter body 1710 and an interchangeable limiter base1720. In some embodiments, assembly 1700 also includes an optionalmagazine base lock 1730. FIG. 18 provides an exploded view of limiterassembly 1700 including limiter body 1710 and base 1720. In addition,FIG. 19 shows a cutaway view of an exemplary rifle caliber magazine 1900incorporating limiter assembly 1700.

In this embodiment as illustrated by the exploded view of FIG. 18,limiter body 1710 includes at least one plurality of notches 1712 a,1712 b, 1712 c . . . 1712 p. Limiter base 1720 includes at least onecorresponding capacity catch (hidden) configured to securely engage withone of the plurality of notches 1712 a, 1712 b, 1712 c . . . 1712 p to“permanently” limit cartridge capacity of a firearms magazine, therebyenabling the user to comply with applicable Federal statute(s), Statelaw(s), local ordinance(s) and/or sporting organization rule(s)mandating such firearm magazine capacity limit. In some embodiments,limiter body 1710 also includes a second plurality of correspondingnotches (hidden) located on an opposing side of limiter body 1710, whichprovides additional stability to limiter assembly 1700.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 17B, the side view of limiterassembly 1700, base 1720 includes an optional capacity window 1728useful in combination with an optional capacity indicator stripe 1718 oflimiter body 1710, enabling a user to easily select an appropriatecartridge capacity for firearms magazine 1900.

As shown in FIG. 19, the limiter assembly 1700 can be inserted withinthe spring coils 1960 of the magazine spring and into the body 1910 offirearms magazine 1900. The magazine floor plate 1990 can be secured tothe bottom of magazine body 1310, thereby appropriately limiting thecartridge capacity for magazine 1900.

FIGS. 20A-20B illustrate yet another embodiment of a universalinterchangeable adjustable-capacity limiting assembly kit 2000 inaccordance with the present invention. Limiting assembly kit 2000includes limiter body 2010, limiter base 1720, and optional magazinebase lock 1730. Kit 2000 can also include an alternate optional magazinebase lock 2030 configured to fit a different firearms magazine (notshown) with a magazine base plate having a smaller correspondingco-locating hole.

Many modifications and additions to the above described embodiments arepossible. In another implementation, the spacing of the first and thesecond plurality notches may not match each other. For example, to savecosts, a hybrid 9 mm/40 S&W limiter body may be configured for either a9 mm or a 40 S&W magazine.

In yet another implementation, the spacing of the first and the secondplurality notches may match each other but are offset with respect toeach other. Hence, since magazine bodies of the same cartridge caliberfor two different firearms may be offset relative to each other, it maybe possible to share such an offset limiter body between two differentbrands of magazines having the same cartridge caliber.

Suitable materials for constructing the various capacity limitingassemblies of the present invention include materials strong enough toprevent deformation while in use, such as, but not limited to thermomoldable plastics, fiberglass impregnated nylon, carbon fibercomposites, epoxy compounds, synthetic resins, aluminum alloys and sheetmetal. Note that the various components, e.g., limiters, of thedescribed embodiments may be assembled using joints such as dovetailslots and tongue and groove. These joints can be reinforced by the useof adhesives such as plastic cements or epoxy compounds, and/or byemploying techniques such as ultrasonic bonding or heat bonding.

The advantages of the present invention also include, withoutlimitation, the ability to quickly and economically reduce the capacityof cartridge magazines in production or future production using theexisting magazine parts. Complex parts such as the magazine follower,which is critical for reliable function, do not need to be replaced.Spring tension and structure need not be altered. Further the outwardshape and appearance of the magazine which can affect handlingcharacteristics is not compromised. In the above described embodiments,magazines cannot be readily converted back to higher capacity withoutdisassembly of the magazine. In some embodiments, the limiting assemblymay also be permanently attached to the magazine spring, which preventsreassembly of the magazine in a higher capacity, while allowing forcleaning and maintenance of the magazine.

While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments,there are alterations, modifications, permutations, and substituteequivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It shouldalso be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing themethods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is thereforeintended that the following appended claims be interpreted as includingall such alterations, modifications, permutations, and substituteequivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A universal adjustable magazine capacity limitingassembly kit configured to limit a cartridge capacity of a firearmmagazine having a magazine body, a magazine spring, a cartridge followerand a magazine floor plate, the magazine capacity limiting assemblycomprising: an interchangeable magazine capacity limiter body having atop edge configured to securely operate with a cartridge follower of afirearm magazine, the cartridge follower configured to be operativelycoupled to a top of a magazine spring of the firearm magazine, whereinthe limiter body is configured to be installed substantially withincoils of the magazine spring, and wherein the limiter body is furtherconfigured to limit the travel of the magazine follower within themagazine body thereby limiting a cartridge capacity of the firearmmagazine, wherein the limiter body is further configured to be severedat a plurality of pre-determined locations thereby enabling acorresponding plurality of cartridge capacities for the firearmsmagazine, and wherein the limiter limited body includes a correspondingplurality of notches; and an interchangeable magazine capacity limiterbase configured to be securely coupled to the magazine limiter body,wherein the limiter base includes a catch configured to securely engageone of the corresponding plurality of notches, and wherein the limiterbase is also configured to be operatively coupled to a magazine floorplate of the firearm magazine.
 2. The limiting assembly of claim 1wherein capacity limiter body includes a substantially vertical trackand wherein the limiter base includes a corresponding rib configured toenhance angular stability of the limiter assembly.
 3. The limitingassembly of claim 1 wherein the limiter base includes a slot forinserting a magazine lock configured to secure magazine floor plate. 4.The limiting assembly of claim 1 wherein the limiter base includes atleast two sub-assemblies configured to be fitted to each other.
 5. Thelimiting assembly of claim 1 wherein the limiter base includes cartridgecapacity window configured to indicate at least one of a cartridgecapacity and a reference number.
 6. The limiting assembly of claim 1wherein the limiter body further includes a second correspondingplurality of notches, wherein the limiter base includes a second catchconfigured to securely engage one of the second corresponding pluralityof notches.
 7. The limiting assembly of claim 1 wherein the limiter baseis configured to be operatively coupled to a magazine base lock having aprotruding locking tab for engaging a corresponding hole of the magazinefloor plate, and wherein a location of the locking tab relative to thelimiter assembly is adjustable.
 8. The limiting assembly of claim 7wherein the magazine base lock is configured to be adjusted by slidingthe magazine base lock within a dovetail slot of the limiter base.
 9. Afirearms magazine having a capacity limiting assembly configured tolimit a cartridge capacity of the firearms magazine, the firearmsmagazine comprising: a magazine body; a cartridge follower; a magazinespring; a magazine floor plate; an interchangeable magazine capacitylimiter body having a top edge configured to securely operate with acartridge follower of a firearms magazine, the cartridge followerconfigured to be operatively coupled to a top of a magazine spring ofthe firearms magazine, wherein the limiter body is configured to beinstalled substantially within coils of the magazine spring, and whereinthe limiter body is further configured to limit the travel of themagazine follower within the magazine body thereby limiting a cartridgecapacity of the firearms magazine, wherein the limiter body is furtherconfigured to be severed at a plurality of pre-determined locationsthereby enabling a corresponding plurality of cartridge capacities forthe firearms magazine, and wherein the limiter limited body includes acorresponding plurality of notches; and an interchangeable magazinecapacity limiter base configured to be securely coupled to the magazinelimiter body, wherein the limiter base includes a catch configured tosecurely engage one of the corresponding plurality of notches, andwherein the limiter base is also configured to be operatively coupled toa magazine floor plate of the firearms magazine.
 10. The firearmsmagazine of claim 9 wherein capacity limiter body includes asubstantially vertical track and wherein the limiter base includes acorresponding rib configured to enhance stability of the limiterassembly.
 11. The firearms magazine of claim 9 wherein the limiter baseincludes a slot for inserting a magazine lock configured to securemagazine floor plate.
 12. The firearms magazine of claim 9 wherein thelimiter base includes at least two sub-assemblies configured to befitted to each other.
 13. The firearms magazine of claim 9 wherein thelimiter base includes cartridge capacity window configured to indicate acartridge capacity.
 14. The firearms magazine of claim 9 wherein thelimiter body further includes a second corresponding plurality ofnotches, wherein the limiter base includes a second catch configured tosecurely engage one of the second corresponding plurality of notches.15. The firearms magazine of claim 9 wherein the limiter base isconfigured to be operatively coupled to a magazine base lock having aprotruding locking tab for engaging a corresponding hole of the magazinefloor plate, and wherein a location of the locking tab relative to thelimiter assembly is adjustable.
 16. The firearms magazine of claim 15wherein the magazine base lock is configured to be adjusted by slidingthe magazine base lock within a dovetail slot of the limiter base.